President Marcos: No need for remote Senate voting outside COVID-era rules

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has expressed opposition to proposals from the Senate majority bloc seeking to allow senators to vote online, saying there is no longer justification for remote voting outside of emergencies.

Speaking during a press briefing on Friday on the sidelines of his state visit to Japan, Marcos recalled that online voting was only necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic due to health risks.

“I disagree with that. I understand that we had to do it during COVID because there was a health risk. But I do not see any particularly good reason for us to allow it now,” Marcos said.

He added that the proposal appears primarily aimed at benefiting Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who has been absent from Senate sessions amid legal challenges and an outstanding warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“It seems to only be applicable to Senator Bato (dela Rosa), para makaboto si Senator Bato dahil nagtatago siya,” he added.

The idea of allowing remote voting was earlier raised by Senator Rodante Marcoleta on May 11, the same day Dela Rosa briefly resurfaced in the Senate after months of absence.

Dela Rosa has since gone into hiding again.

Marcos also stressed that individuals facing arrest warrants, including those issued through international mechanisms, should not be allowed to vote unless they are physically present in the Senate.

“Now, for someone who is actually a fugitive from justice, na hinahanap ng pulis, na hinahanap ng Interpol at may arrest warrant galing sa ICC, palagay ko hindi siya dapat bumoto. Hangga't dumating siya doon sa Senado. Kung he's willing to take the risk like he did the last time, eh ibang usapan ‘yun. Basta’t nandiyan siya,” Marcos said.

He added that the longstanding Senate tradition requires lawmakers to be physically present in the plenary for their votes to be counted.

-Paraluman News